Since the reopening of Askham Bog in July, we have been proud to offer boardwalk plaques in the shapes of butterflies, willow tits, great crested newts and oak leaves. 

People across Yorkshire and beyond have been dedicating plaques of their choosing to family and friends. From anniversaries, birthdays and big milestones, these plaques celebrate the many people who love this reserve. There are plaques celebrating 80th birthdays spent at the Bog, as well as moving dedications to loved ones who have died, and people celebrating mums, dads and partners who share a love for this special place. 

We work with Hull-based plaque makers Finch Tree; Gary and Bronwen created Finch Tree to support charities and organisations across the UK with their in-memory products, and their work spans all sorts of celebrations and metal creations. They work with 22 Wildlife Trusts, and as they are local we have even been to visit behind the scenes. Gary and Bronwen are incredible at what they do, and getting a peek into their workshop showed just how much care and love goes into each plaque.  

In addition to boardwalk plaques, we also have a number of benches positioned around the reserve that provide mindful places to sit and celebrate the memories of loved ones.  

Lucy’s story 

“Building dens, identifying butterflies, searching under leaf for insects, sitting quietly in the forest waiting for deer to walk past and ‘hopping over’ a stile to look for our next adventure (which could last hours!) – these were just some of the wonderful memories we have as a family of Askham Bog and what makes it so special to us. 

Our youngest son Ryan particularly loved the wildlife and wilderness of the site and at times, it provided a quiet solace for him when he found his autism and other diagnosed mental health conditions hard to cope with, and daily life became a struggle. His passion for science and understanding the world around him meant that he loved nature and wildlife and he was a keen environmentalist and recycling champion. He loved talking to people, often using his great sense of humour to connect with them. He has been described by many as an ‘all round lovely young man’, who we are so very proud of. He was truly a very special person. "

"When he died tragically at 15 years old in 2022, Askham Bog became even more precious to us as a family - with the memories it held of Ryan, as well as being a place to see the continuation of life and change throughout the seasons. 
Shortly after his death, we contacted Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and opted for a memory bench for Ryan, as this seemed so fitting for us and for him. I would recommend it to anyone that loves any of the YWT sites – depending on availability of benches, it’s an easy process to go through and has proved a wonderful place in which to sit and remember him. 

Getting outside in the fresh air and generally spending time in natural environments is so important to mental health and wellbeing – immersing yourself in nature helps anchor you in the present moment – offering a ‘buffer’ against any strains of daily life. It boosts serotonin levels to help stabilize mood, increases energy and clears your mind. 

It’s just one of the many ways in which Askham Bog (and other YWT sites) is so important to so many people – and for us, it continues to bring a closeness to our son. 

So next time you visit Askham Bog – don’t keep to the walkways, get over a stile and explore something more. Go on a new adventure, walk to all corners of the area to feel and see the true beauty of the site! And if you have time, sit on Ryan’s bench – he would have loved to know that part of his legacy was promoting Askham Bog and the positive wellbeing of other people – as do we.” 

Celebrate someone special at Askham Bog 

Would you like to celebrate a loved one at Askham Bog? There is plenty of space for plaques on our new boardwalk; these are £250, and the cost covers creation, personalised engraving, installation, and makes a meaningful impact on Askham Bog for the future. Enquire with us at fundraising@ywt.org.uk. 

Although there are no bench spaces left at Askham Bog, there may be availability at one of our other reserves across Yorkshire. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or a loved one who has died, we have a selection of bespoke gifts, from benches to bird boxes, that are perfect for nature lovers. Get in touch to find out what’s available at your chosen reserve.